Is This Garden Staple The Key To Ridding Your Yard Of Mosquitoes?

Summer is just around the corner. Now while most of us associate this season with warmer weather, trips to the beach, and sunny fun-filled days, it also provides the perfect environment for one of the most annoying seasonal guests: mosquitoes. That's right, even though many of us look forward to summer because warmer weather allows us to spend more quality time outdoors, in turn, that also means we have to deal with the buzzing, blood-sucking bugs. However, if you've found yourself trying out all the different DIY mosquito traps and repellants out there to no avail, this year it might be time to test out diatomaceous earth.

Diatomaceous earth (DE) is a natural desiccant, which is a substance that creates a state of dryness in the surrounding area where it is applied. The reason this can be useful in exterminating mosquitoes is pretty simple: It gets rid of them at the source. What we mean by this is that mosquitoes tend to reproduce or lay their eggs in stagnant areas with a high degree of moisture content or humidity. By laying down diatomaceous earth in these types of environments, you may be able to effectively reduce mosquito populations on your property. So without further ado, today we'll be exploring why this natural method of mosquito control might be a good solution for you this summer, as well as provide more information on how exactly it works and where/how to apply it.

Diatomaceous earth is a natural desiccant made from the fossilized remains of a certain type of microscopic algae called diatoms. The reason it is effective in killing mosquitoes is because it has sharp microscopic edges that cut into their exoskeletons, causing them to dry up and die. That being said, this substance is not meant to kill mosquitoes that are already in flight, but rather to desecrate areas where they might go to breed, like areas prone to standing water. This unfortunately means DE does not provide an immediate solution to these pesky critters, but rather is more effective in reducing mosquito populations on your property over time. For a more immediate solution to mosquito problems, it might instead be worth trying out these household staples that repel mosquitoes like magic.

At the same time, immediate solutions to killing mosquitoes are just that- immediate solutions. They only fix the problem at the moment. If you want to get to the root cause of your mosquito problem, it would be a good idea to actually attack the places where they go to reproduce: this is where diatomaceous earth comes in handy.

If you're looking to get rid of mosquitoes in your yard for good, then a good place to start is by applying diatomaceous earth to areas where they may lay their eggs. As we mentioned earlier, this is going to be areas prone to standing water like damp soil, gutters and drains, or anywhere around where there is stagnant water in your yard like a birdbath or around the edges of your pool or a backyard pond. It is also worth noting that areas of your yard that are heavily shaded can be more likely to accumulate stagnant moisture, so applying diatomaceous earth around there could prove effective as well.

Now if you're worried about your animals or children getting their hands on any of this substance that is spread around your property, don't fret. The good news is that it is non-toxic to humans and pets, as long as you use Food Grade Diatomaceous Earth which can be bought for $32.49 on Amazon. That said, feel free to spread it on the edges of windowsills or doorways to prevent mosquitoes from annoying you inside your home as well. However, a good tip to know is that this substance will only remain effective for as long as it stays dry. This means that it will have to be reapplied to outdoor areas of your home after a rainy day in order to prevent mosquitoes from finding a new spot to reproduce.